Why is it important that I get vaccinated?

If you’ve been paying attention, then you are most likely aware that there is a measles epidemic going round, prompting the health organisation to call on more people to get vaccinated.

Measles, amongst other diseases, is extremely contagious (the virus can linger in rooms even after a sick person has left)  — and can lead to serious complications. How can you protect yourself, and your loved ones? Besides ensuring that your Health insurance policy is up to date, there is also another simple way: get immunised. 

The reality is by making sure you and your family are fully vaccinated, not only are you protecting yourselves,  but also protecting vulnerable people in your community. This is because the more people who are vaccinated, the fewer people will be infected, making it less possible for the the disease to spread. This is called ‘herd immunity’

How do vaccines work? 

A simple way to explain it is that the ingredient of any vaccine is a small amount of bacteria, virus or toxin of the disease you are trying to prevent that’s been weakened or destroyed in a laboratory first. By exposing your body to the disease in this manner you ‘teach’ your immune system how to create antibodies that protect you from diseases. It is a much safer way for your immune system to learn this through vaccination than by catching the diseases and treating them. Once your immune system knows how to fight a disease, it can often protect you for many years.

Are the any side effects to getting vaccinated?

Yes. As with any medical treatment, vaccines can have a side effects. The most common side effects are mild, like soreness where the needle went in, or a slight fever. Serious side effects are rare. However it is important to note that following extensive studies, it has been shown that there is no link between vaccines and autism: autism is not a side effect of vaccines.

The bottom line is vaccines  make the immune system work more efficiently. Don’t be so worried about the risks of vaccines that you forget to worry about the risks of the diseases vaccines prevent.